At the Yaouré Gold Mine in central Ivory Coast, a Grove GMK5150L all-terrain crane plays a vital role in maintenance and emergency repairs. With challenging site conditions and limited technical resources, the mine turned to Manitowoc’s West Africa distributor, Paterson Simons, to enhance its on-site maintenance capabilities.
In response, Paterson Simons collaborated with Manitowoc’s training team in Germany to bring in freelance instructor Mirco Minoccheri. An engineer with nearly two decades of Manitowoc crane experience, Minoccheri spent two weeks at the mine training nine maintenance technicians.
His comprehensive program focused on the GMK5150L’s pneumatic, hydraulic, and electrical systems. Through hands-on exercises and troubleshooting real site issues—like moisture-induced telescope failures and humidity-related brake system warnings—the team developed a more intuitive approach to diagnostics, moving beyond reliance on error codes.
“The crane is crucial, especially during plant shutdowns,” said Minoccheri. “Each downtime period affects production, so strengthening the team’s skills to minimize these delays was essential.”
Working in a tough environment marked by heat, dust, and isolation, the team learned to manage environmental impacts on equipment more effectively. The training not only improved fault analysis and problem-solving skills but also reinforced collaboration and self-reliance.
“This was a practical and collaborative effort,” Minoccheri added. “The team made impressive progress.”
Thanks to the training, the Yaouré maintenance crew is now better prepared to keep operations running efficiently—ensuring fewer delays, greater independence, and improved long-term productivity.
